The great thing about travelling to Hong Kong Disneyland with children is that it is so close to Australia (flight time is only about eight hours from Sydney) and that along with all the expected Disney magic, the kids are also experiencing a different culture.

Hong Kong Disneyland is situated on Lantau Island about 30 minutes from downtown Hong Kong. The setting of the theme park is arguably the most spectacular of the Disneyland parks, with mountainous backdrops and green surrounds — and that’s only the beginning.

My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to test run Hong Kong Disneyland with a five-year-old with a short attention span.

Small but perfectly formed

Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest of the theme parks, but there is more than enough to do to keep you occupied for two or three days. The smaller size of the park comes in handy while trying to coax young children from place to place, not that they don’t have enough places to see and experience. Hong Kong Disneyland is made up of Main Street, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland and the newly opened Toy Story Land (pictured above).

Toy Story Land is abuzz

Open since November 2011, Toy Story Land is the latest and arguably the greatest attraction to the theme park. The props and scenery create the illusion of being in Andy’s backyard, as if you were the size of a toy soldier. In fact, the toy soldier characters come to life several times during the day and steal the show with their antics. There are three main rides in Toy Story Land — the Slinky Dog Spin suitable for younger kids, and the Parachute Drop and RC Racer for older kids and the young at heart.

The great thing about travelling to Hong Kong Disneyland with children is that it is so close to Australia (flight time is only about eight hours from Sydney) and that along with all the expected Disney magic, the kids are also experiencing a different culture.